Tennessee Volunteers Gear Up for Baha Mar Championship in the Bahamas

The Tennessee Volunteers basketball team is set to kick off its participation in the Baha Mar Championship, a two-game tournament hosted in the Bahamas. The No. 9 ranked Vols enter the competition with an undefeated record of 4-0, facing their first opponent, No. 3 Virginia, on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. ET. The games will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

The Virginia Cavaliers, also undefeated with a 3-0 record, have triumphed over Campbell, Coppin State, and Villanova in their recent games. Virginia is under the guidance of Ron Sanchez, who recently assumed the role of interim head coach following the sudden retirement of longtime coach Tony Bennett.

The Tennessee squad has encountered several player injuries this season. Forward J.P. Estrella was sidelined due to a lingering left foot injury and guard Cam Carr is expected to be out for up to six weeks with a left thumb injury sustained during their last game against Austin Peay. Additionally, Chaz Lanier is limited in practice due to migraines, while Darlinstone Dubar is returning to practice after addressing personal matters.

Tennessee assistant coach Gregg Polinsky emphasized the significance of the early season tournaments, likening them to NCAA brackets with their two-game format. «It’s great preparation. The competition will be stiff. It’s really good,» Polinsky remarked, «and it helps us find out where we are.»

Virginia’s style of play, traditionally slow-paced and defensively oriented under Bennett, has left observers curious whether they will maintain these tactics under Sanchez’s lead. «They’re a little different and I’m not quite sure,» Assistant Coach Polinsky noted, praising the Cavaliers’ strong sense of identity on the court. One player to watch is junior guard Isaac McKneely, known for his remarkable three-point shooting prowess this season.

The tournament opening game between Tennessee and Virginia will be followed by a match between No. 15 Baylor and No. 21 St. John's. The outcomes of Thursday’s matchups will determine the opponents for Tennessee’s next game on Friday. Regardless of the results, each team is assured two significant matchups to aid in their NCAA Tournament bid preparations.